Because I Love You

God’s blessings come too fast for many of us to fully comprehend, and if you’re like me, you want to catch them, pause, and hold them in your hands for a detailed analysis.    I wonder if God’s blessings are like fire and light, that cannot be held and studied. Perhaps that’s for later when you reflect upon their experience. Maybe God’s blessings are like sweet air you inhale or a delicious drink you intake. The best we can do is pray for the blessing and accept it when it comes.   I received a disruptive blessing this week. My latest film produced with RIT Diversity Theater, DEAR ELEANOR, was nominated for Best Score and Best Editing at the Diversity in Cannes Film Showcase. When I received the news, I was shocked, elated! But I never dreamed I would attend the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France where the Showcase was to take place. But then I received other messages from the Showcase with event information and requesting attendee confirmations. I began to imagin...

  Happy Mother’s Day! Me and my newest granddaughter Ellara Zoë, born 3/6/23 Humility  - to place the value of others above one’s own; a virtue, a strength; to free oneself from pride and arrogance -  especially in a world full of boasting to get ahead of others in rank, stature, and popularity (Webster’s Dictionary and Momma Tina).   Jesus humbled himself by taking on the nature of a servant, and humbling himself even to die on the cross for us, committing the ultimate act of humility - to sacrifice oneself for another.   Placing the life of another above one’s own is a transformative experience. I didn’t think I could ever do something like that, or ever want to. But that was before I became a mother. I learned that mother’s put their lives on the line for their children.   My realization came through a dream, but it was real to me at the time. It was 37 years ago, and I never forgot it.    I was a first time mother to a beautiful baby boy. When...

  Thank you God, for EVERYTHING! Everything, Everywhere, When Needed! Me under the clouds, summer 2001 in the Carolinas.  Maybe they’re not glass balls, The tasks we strive to juggle and keep in the air.  Maybe they’re more like clouds,   Clouds that move left to right or East to West,  And not up and down, Never to crash to the ground or fall apart,  If we don’t catch them.    Trying to “keep up.” Our tasks, responsibilities, to do’s, are more like clouds, that do not require us to hold up. Like clouds, they move left to right or East to West. They don’t fall to the ground and crash. Our lives are more precious than the clouds, and the things that are most important in our lives are supported with or without our constant care if we ask God to provide.    Your blessings are like boomerangs, they will come back to you; perhaps different, but they are your blessings nonetheless. So don’t waste time worrying and trying to become a bett...

2023 Saturday March 25   Good morning God! Thank you for today. Thank you God for my birthday yesterday!   I’ve completed 59 years of life! And what have I learned? That love is patient, Love is kind, Love seeks good. Love does not boast, envy, or seek revenge. Love is always ready for reconciliation. Love is demonstrated. Love refuels. Love heals the deepest and longest lasting wounds. Love is wonderful! Being in love - being loved and loving, is like going to Disney World and told you never have to leave; all of the rides are free and accessible! I’ve learned that Love is you, Love is me, Love is us, Love is  all a we !   Love is God. God is in us and we are in God. We are God’s love! Photos from special moments during my birthday month. Noticing spring flowers with my grandson Making new memories with long time friends-family Sharing joy with the mother of the bride at her daughter's wedding Sharing my birthday wih my Love Visiting our godson in the hospital and c...

Good morning God! Thank you for today! Thank you for yesterday! Thank you for answering all of my prayers and the ones unspoken - the desires requested in my heart that you also answered. Thank you for JOY this morning! Last night I rested. I let go and feel deep within your love, grace, and power and fell asleep. It was a feeling that I would be fine no matter what happened. The feeling reminded me of Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech when he said, "I am not afraid... I am not fearing any man."   For many of us there is a perpetual fear, a feeling that someone is always out to get you when you’re a person whose outward identity is negatively targeted by others. There’s a feeling of a dark cloud diminishing your family’s joy when a close family member is chronically abusive. There’s a feeling of perpetual loss, of seeking and wanting to be found, when you’re separated from your mother or father at a young age. And there’s a constant fear associated with hidi...

A portrait of Tyre Nichols is displayed at a memorial service for him on Jan. 17 in Memphis, Tenn. NPR website 1/28/23 I love writing about joy, I love writing about love, but sometimes I must write about hate. Why? Because it’s with us, and every now and then it raises it’s evil head and shines upon us. I began writing this in my journal 1/28/23, Saturday morning around 6:00AM. The news report of Mr. Tyre Nichols’ killing and video footage released the day before was most disturbing. It left me, and the world, grappling to understand how this happened. I wrote ten pages by hand about my thoughts, and spent the next week, typing them into my computer and trying to organize them more efficiently. I ended up with a five page sort of essay exploring group behaviors. It’s organized by my earliest memories of being seen by others in  When a Baby Smiles , behaviors of bullies and victims in school in  The Lure of Excitement , understanding group behaviors in Mob Mentality  and...

P eace   I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid! I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But be of good cheer; I have overcome this world! -         Who has the audacity to say that? The audacity to believe they can overcome the World and believe they have already done so?  -         Who has the boldness to love others so much, to die for them AND give them peace; their peace?  -         Who says that? Who believes that? Who can do that? – JESUS THE CHRIST! The audacity of LOVE in a hateful World The audacity of PEACE in a troubled World The audacity of HOPE in you,  that you will believe and ask for whatever you want, whatever you need. Jesus said, “Ask in my name, and you will receive it, and your JOY will be complete.” Who wants JOY this holid...

“Don’t take candy from strangers.” “Don’t accept rides from strange men.” “Company is not allowed in the house when your parents are not home.” These were some of the golden-rules-of-protection my parents taught me growing up in the 1970’s and 80’s in Cleveland Ohio. My parents tried to protect me from predators by teaching me these rules; however, predator methods of persuasion continue to evolve. Appealing to empathy, providing encouragement from a trusted source and access to easy rewards were the tactics used on me. Fortunately these attempts didn’t work, but not because I was aware of what was happening. We need more training to protect our most vulnerable citizens and immigrants. This is my story of an attempted kidnapping when I was 17 years old. It was a midsummer day in 1981, I was living in a quaint Cleveland suburb, Maple Heights, population 29,000 in the 1980’s. I stopped for gas at a small station near the center of town on Lee Road nestled between Broadway and Libby Roads...

I was quite old before use of a chair was made by an accident that daily affair. it wasn't the easiest but it's not like I bust. At first it was hard but I did adjust.   The funny thing is I stayed much the same.  My biggest interest still in the spiritual plane. One might confuse my activity as lazy  but I am pondering hard, “ why this world so crazy?”   But in my chair doing more sitting the answers I sought, weren't so hidden. They came to me through books and reflections often suggested by friends and connections.   Working with others to get things done, I found many a project a lot more fun. I think that is why my rewards seem expanded with collaboration, results are better than  planneded.   As you may have guessed from this poem on stage I am not diminished by less use of my legs. Some endeavors are not only unbroken but have been so productive they've left me quite  stokened .   Am I saying life is better when sitting in a chair...

Mrs. Carol Crooms, The Carol L. Crooms Center, Utica, NY Oracle:  a person or thing regarded as an infallible authority or guide on something.   For our lady of wisdom, love, and light. The woman who dishes out loving food and wisdom, from her home, something she had been doing all her life, but on Sunday October 26, 2003, Mrs. Carol Crooms became The Oracle for my son Cannaday and his college roommate Sam. My daughter Ana and I were in town from Rochester for Pratt at Munson Williams Proctor’s family weekend, and Mrs. Crooms, my dear friend Kim’s mom, had invited us for dinner. I don’t remember the meal but I remember the “dessert”- sitting in Mrs. Crooms’ kitchen, the young men eating at the table with Ana, as Mrs. Crooms lovingly “preached.” She spoke many words of wisdom to them as she served extra helpings on their plates. The young people were quiet, either because their mouths were too full or their ears and minds were too full trying to comprehend the wisdom she was te...